How I Avoid No-Name Dropshippers on Amazon and Find Real Products

Key Takeaways

• To weed out dropshippers, check seller profiles and review the product names and descriptions.
• A reverse image search can also help you confirm the product’s authenticity.
• Reading reviews left by other customers and avoiding products with suspiciously low prices can help as well.

Browsed Amazon recently? You’ll have noticed page after page of the exact same item sold by seemingly different sellers. These dropshippers attempt to sell very similar products, and typically game Amazon’s review system to get to the top of rankings.

But that’s not what I want to see, so I’ve started using a few different techniques to avoid these no-name Amazon dropshippers.

1 Check the Seller’s Profile

If you come across a product from a new seller on Amazon and are unsure if you’re dealing with a reputable seller, click their name under the Add to Cart and Buy Now buttons.

This will redirect you to their profile, which will tell you the seller’s average rating for the last 12 months, whether they sell other products, and whether the customer feedback has been mostly positive or negative. Also, check the seller’s name. Is it a string of random letters or words? If the name seems nonsensical, it’s unlikely to be a legit brand.

2 Pay Attention to the Product’s Name and Description

If the seller’s Amazon profile doesn’t raise any red flags, be sure to pay close attention to the product name and description. If you see every possible keyword associated with the product added to the name, it’s likely a dropshipper trying to ensure their product comes up in as many searches as possible.

Genuine, reputable brands typically use straightforward and concise product names rather than relying on keyword stuffing. While you’re at it, check the product description as well. Ideally, you should see well-written descriptions highlighting specific features and unique selling points. It’s best to avoid products with vague descriptions that don’t make a lot of sense or seem different from the product images.

3 Reverse Image Search Photos of the Product

Another way to weed out dropshippers is by doing a reverse image search of the product photos. There are plenty of reverse image search apps for iPhone and Android or you can use Google Images or Google Lens in your browser. If the product appears on other sites, especially ones that sell discounted wholesale products, you’re likely dealing with a dropshipper.

Another way to identify a dropshipper is by checking for identical listings from different sellers on Amazon. If multiple small brands sell the same product with the same images and similar product descriptions, it’s more than likely a dropshipped item.

4 Read Reviews Left by Other Customers

A quick scan of the recent reviews can tell you if the product is actually worth your money or if it is something you’d rather avoid. The issue, however, is that there are numerous fake reviews on Amazon, so you can’t take everything you read at face value.

While there are certain tools you can use to spot fake Amazon reviews, I’ve personally found it helpful to only consider three-star ratings and reviews to get the most balanced insights into the product’s quality and performance. It goes without saying, but if you spot more negative reviews than positive, it’s best to skip the item altogether.

5 Avoid Products with Suspiciously Low Prices

I’ve come across some incredible deals on Amazon, but for the most part, I truly believe that if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Suspiciously low prices usually mean the product is dropshipped, and the seller hasn’t vetted the item for performance or reliability.

So, regardless of how good the deal may seem, do a quick check on Amazon to compare the price to that of similar products from more established brands. If you notice a substantial difference in pricing, it’s worth hitting pause and reconsidering your purchase.

Whether you’re short on time or looking for deals, don’t rely on Amazon’s algorithm to find the best products for you. While there are tricks that you can use to find exactly what you need, I recommend using these strategies to avoid low-quality products from dropshippers.